July 2013 Group Travel Newsletter

The other day I was working on our new St. Louis profile sheet for the new show season and I was wondering, what’s the number one thing I am always asked during those very short appointments. It’s probably no big surprise to those of you reading this, but it’s “What’s New in St. Louis?” Well you don’t have to wait for our 7 minute appointment to find out. Below you will see some of the exciting new things that are taking place in St. Louis in 2013 & 2014.

Did You Hear?Nearly 150 years in the making and recently opened at historic Jefferson Barracks is the Missouri Civil War History Museum. Exhibits cover the years leading to the war through its aftermath.

At the Saint Louis Art Museum new galleries, an underground parking facility and a café and restaurant are just the beginning of the 200,000 square foot addition. The $162 million project means visitors will now be able to view more works from the museum’s collection that places it among the top 10 comprehensive art museums in the nation. Admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum is always free.

2013 will be the inaugural season of the Boomerang at Six Flags St. Louis. The new, 125-feet-tall steel coaster will have brave riders twist, turn and shout during a 50 miles-per-hour, heart-pounding ride along 1,650 feet of twisting, corkscrew, looping track. Boomerang is the ninth coaster at Six Flags St. Louis which is home to more roller coasters than any other theme park in Missouri.

Pole Position Raceway is the premier indoor kart racing experience in St. Louis. Come drive the world’s best electric kart known as the Formula EK 20 Pro Kart, and nothing else compares! They also have junior karts for younger kids, and you only need to be 48″ tall to race. The action takes place inside a comfortable state-of-the-art, air-conditioned facilities on a 1/4 mile euro-style road courcse. They also feature an oval track for the kids.

Not just one but two new outlets, Located in Chesterfield, MO just 40 minutes West of Downtown St. Louis, will be ready for business by August/September 2013. The Taubman Prestige Outlets & St. Louis Premium Outlets are just a couple miles apart.

The new Ballpark Village project will include “Cardinal Nation,” a 30,000 sq. ft. venue, including the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum and a roof top deck with seats to watch the game. Also part of the development are a new 20,000 sq. ft. “Budweiser Brew House” and a live entertainment area. It is scheduled to be open for opening day of the 2014 baseball season.

In 2013 the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum will relocate in St. Louis, Missouri. The museum’s collection, which contains 6,000 camera’s and over 30,000 photographs, will find its new home in Grand Center – the cultural arts center of St. Louis.

Guess who’s turning 50 in 2015. Yes, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial aka the Gateway Arch will be 50 on October 28, 2015. St. Louis’ iconic symbol is undergoing an amazing renovation. The project called CityArchRiver starts in late 2013.